by Michael Berg
This year the Missouri Sierra Club increased our presence at the capitol in Jefferson City. At the heart of this effort were four different Lobby Days spaced roughly one month apart throughout the legislative session. In total, 61 Sierrans visited over 120 different legislators and executive officials in order to discuss pressing environmental concerns. Our membership came from throughout the state to advocate for greater energy efficiency, renewable energy, groundwater monitoring of coal ash, and other pressing issues.
In addition, over 2,000 Sierra Club members and supporters wrote to their Senators and Representatives in support of the renewable energy standard, in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, and in support of workplace rights.
Our Legislative Committee Chair Mike Diel and Chapter Director John Hickey regularly went the capitol to talk to lawmakers and testify before committees.
In addition to our efforts in Jefferson City, fifty Sierra Club members met in district with four State Senators and one Representative. More and more, our elected officials are hearing from the Sierra Club members that they represent.
This legislative program was carried out through the work of our Missouri Chapter Legislative Committee – Mike Diel, Ray Anderson, Patricia Schuba, Caroline Pufalt, Ross Hunt, Julie Viel, Bob Klepper, Henry Robertson, Sam Cummings, Claus Wawrzinek, David Mitchell, Steve Mohler, Myra Scroggs and Jim Evans.
If you are interested in being part of our Legislative Committee for 2014, write to Michael Berg at mo-michael@sierraclub.org or call 314-456-1954.